Our Sovereign God is the Real Superman

By Naftaly C. Sitompul, 25

“This way, Dad! Turn this way now!”

I called out to him as we danced in front of the television. He happily took my lead. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

After some foot-thumping (and heart-pumping) moment, Dad dropped onto the couch and pant, “Ok, let’s take a five minutes break. We’ll start dancing again after that!”

Five minutes later, Dad couldn’t get up again. Mum realized that something was wrong. She called for an ambulance.

****

The next day, while in the midst of a lesson, I was called out of the class and told to go home.

He died. My best friend died. The person I looked to in times of need, died. My superman’s gone.

****

As I sipped my pumpkin latte, alone in the Starbucks’ crowd, I realized that the memory of that fateful day still cuts like a knife.
I remembered being anorexic.
I remembered trying to numb my body and soul so as to dull the pain in my heart.
I remembered having to slowly pick up the pieces of my life again.
I remembered every tear I shed which I asked God to wipe away.
I remembered trying to get up from falling down.
I remembered failing to get the scholarship to study in America.
I remembered getting offered the scholarship again.
I remembered waving good-bye to my family and loved ones, as I left for America.
I remembered God granted me wisdom to ace my exams every semester.

****

I remembered what it took to live on from then to now and I thank God for every single tear that He turns into laughter and for every thorn that leads to a rose.

Through it all, I have come to realize that our Sovereign God is the real Superman.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. — Isaiah 43:2-3 —